Khidkali Mahadev Mandir is an ancient Shiva Mandir located near Dombivali, Maharashtra. It is believed that the Pandavas worshiped the Swayambhu linga of Lord Shiva here during their exile.

Legend of Khidkali Mahadev

In the ancient land of Bharat, amidst the grandeur of Hastinapura, there lived five extraordinary princes known as the Pandavas. They were Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva, born to the illustrious King Pandu. These noble warriors were embodiments of virtue, righteousness, and unparalleled skill in warfare.

As fate would have it, the Pandavas found themselves entangled in a web of treachery and deceit, crafted by their own cousins, the Kauravas. They were sent into exile for 13 years. During this, Pandavas sought the blessings of Lord Shiva, the supreme deity, at the divine abode of Khidkali Mahadev Mandir.

Khidkali Mahadev Mandir, which was nestled amidst the lush forests of Dandakaranya, was a sanctuary revered by sages and devotees alike. The lingam of Lord Shiva here was swayambhu (self-manifested). Pandavas reached the sacred temple of Khidkali Mahadev. A sense of tranquility engulfed them as they beheld the awe-inspiring sight of the lingam.

With devotion in their hearts and determination in their souls, the Pandavas began their worship to please Lord Shiva. Their unwavering faith and unwavering dedication captured the attention of Lord Shiva, who decided to test their devotion.

Lord Shiva appeared before the Pandavas, disguised as an old Brahmin. Yudhishthira, known for his righteousness, immediately stepped forward and offered his humble service. The disguised Lord Shiva requested five flowers, symbolizing the devotion of each Pandava brother.

The task seemed simple, but as the Pandavas searched for the flowers, they realized that they were nowhere to be found. With the sun setting and their hopes dwindling, Arjuna, the valiant archer, heard a voice beckoning him towards a nearby lake. He followed the voice and found magnificent lotuses blooming in it.

As Arjuna was plucking the flowers,  a massive boulder broke off from the nearby hill and plummeted towards him. Sensing the imminent danger, Bhima, the mighty warrior, used his tremendous strength to hold back the boulder, allowing Arjuna to escape unscathed.

Nakula, the handsome and agile Pandava, sprinted forward and collected the flowers together with Arjuna. Meanwhile, Sahadeva, the wise and scholarly brother, chanted powerful mantras to ward off obstacles. Together, they triumphed over adversity, demonstrating  the indomitable spirit of the Pandavas.

They handed over the flowers to the Brahmin. Witnessing their unity, Lord Shiva revealed his true form, dazzling the Pandavas with his divine radiance. Pleased with their devotion and selflessness, Lord Shiva blessed them that victory would be theirs in the upcoming Kurukshetra war, as their righteousness and devotion had won his favor.

Throughout the epic war at Kurukshetra, they displayed unmatched valor, righteousness, and unwavering faith in Lord Shiva. In the final battle, Lord Krishna guided them to triumph over the Kaurava forces. The Pandavas fought with unwavering conviction, bolstered by the divine blessings they had received from Lord Shiva. Ultimately, they emerged triumphant, restoring righteousness and justice to the land of Bharat.

The tale of the Pandavas and their encounter with Lord Shiva at Khidkali Mahadev Mandir stands as a testament to the power of faith, devotion, and unity. It reminds us that even in the face of insurmountable challenges, those who possess faith in the divine and remain steadfast in their pursuit of righteousness shall be blessed with miraculous victories. Just as the Pandavas overcame adversity and emerged victorious in the Kurukshetra war, so too can we conquer our own battles when armed with faith and devotion.

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Knowledge Bank

Is Jatayu and Garuda same?

No. They are not the same. Jatayu is Garuda's brother's son. Garuda is Mahavishnu's vehicle. Jatayu was the falcon king who attacked Ravana when he was abducting Seetha Devi.

Meaning of the shloka, Ma Nishada of Ramayana

Inspired by Brahma to write the story of Sri Rama, Maharshi Valmiki went to the banks of the Tamasa river with his disciple Bharadwaj for bathing and midday rituals. There, they saw a pair of Krauncha birds wandering happily. At that time, the male Krauncha bird was killed by a hunter. Seeing the blood-soaked dead bird on the ground, the female Krauncha cried out in grief. Hearing her sorrowful cry, the compassionate heart of the sage was deeply moved. That same sorrow turned into a verse filled with pathos and emerged from Maharshi Valmiki's lips for the welfare of the world - Ma nishada pratishtham tvam agamah shashvatih samah. Yat krauncha mithunad ekam avadhih kamamohitam. The apparent meaning of the verse is a curse to the hunter—'O hunter, you will not find peace or fame for eternal years, because you have killed one of the Krauncha pair, which was in passion.' But the actual meaning is—'O Lakshmipati Ram, you have killed the world-destroyer Ravana, one of the Ravana-Mandodari pair, and thus, you will be revered for eternity.'